11 years, never serviced, +:02/day - what would you do?

[chill]

My 16610 P-serial just turned 11 this month. I've never had it serviced and it runs +:02 per day. Recently I picked up a 116000, so I have been rotating them out. When one is on, the other is in a Wolf winder.

My bezel insert has a good gouge, so I went to AD this morning to order a replacement insert ($75 BTW). The sales girl and I were talking about service, this AD offers 1st service free with purchase, and 10% off. (PM me if you want name/number). Anyway, I said my watch has never been serviced and I don't indend to until it runs poorly or isn't working. The sales girl was aghast, like was doing a bad thing. I know several people who have had issues once their watch has been serviced and I've been told by older folks that have been wearing Rolexes many decades more than me to only service when necessary.

Am I wrong in this thinking? At $800 for a service, I figure if it aint broke, don't fix it. Am I doing a disservice to the watch by not getting it serviced? Am I running the risk of incurring further damage beyond whatever they do for $800 at a regular service by sending it when it keeps poor time or stops working all together?

Thanks for feedback----

[thewatchguy93]

Its always good to get a service when Rolex say too. Every 4-5 years in most cases, its all well your watch running perfectly accurate but the movement inside will be running a little dry and will need re-oiling and loobing. Its your call but I would send her right of for a fresh service

[dooder202]

Send it in for service they will re-lubricate all the moving parts and also clean the watch. Another GREAT thing they do at service time is polish and finish your watch to like new condition using Rolex's factory sepcs for abrasion.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by dooder202

Send it in for service they will re-lubricate all the moving parts and also clean the watch. Another GREAT thing they do at service time is polish and finish your watch to like new condition using Rolex's factory sepcs for abrasion.

or, another terrible thing they do is polish your watch....

really a personal preference here.


11 years is a good run, the price you quoted for service seems high, unless they are giving you a new crystal as well as a bezel?

i ran mine for about 14 years without a service, finally the crown started to feel a bit off, so i brought it in.

they fixed it without a word. ie no doom and gloom from RSC about excessive wear and tear, not even a mention.

so, i would say if it is not calling your attention to any unusual performance, let it be.

[Rags]

I would find a watchmaker that services rolexes. You would probably save yourself $400.

[steubi1]

I would keep it going for another 11 years...

Tom

[Jocke]

Just pull out the crown 2 sec everyday and it will be spot on.

[Tools]

It's up to you..

A watch is slowly wearing itself out with all the gears, parts, and pinions meshing together.. It will fail, eventually..

800 bucks to have it overhauled, all gaskets and seals changed, worn parts replaced, and fresh oil.................... It's good insurance against catastrophic failure..

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by Jocke

Just pull out the crown 2 sec everyday and it will be spot on.

I was told you could go blind doing this too often...

[Richardquattro]

My Datejust (1984) is at this moment at Rolex for it's second service and third Jubilee bracelet. In between times it has been serviced twice locally at half the price but certainly not the standard. I wear it every day so it works hard. They do need serviced as pointed out above oil is cheaper than metal. You will sleep better knowing it is not going to grind to a halt.

[Keeperoftime]

+1

[Grumpy Badger]

Personally, I'd just get it pressure tested and, if that was ok, leave well alone.

Just my opinion but I wouldn't mess with it and I wouldn't let them polish my watch even if it did go for service...

[Captain Kirkwood]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Badger

...I wouldn't let them polish my watch even if it did go for service...

Agreed. Especially a Sub Date with lug holes and SELs.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Tools

It's up to you..

A watch is slowly wearing itself out with all the gears, parts, and pinions meshing together.. It will fail, eventually..

800 bucks to have it overhauled, all gaskets and seals changed, worn parts replaced, and fresh oil.................... It's good insurance against catastrophic failure..

Have to agree with Larry better to be safe than sorry nothing works for ever without routine service not even a Rolex.

Originally Posted by Captain Kirkwood

Agreed. Especially a Sub Date with lug holes and SELs.

And why ever not there is nothing special with a sub with lug holes and a SEL there must be quite a few thousand around.And a normal routine service and polish will do no harm whatsoever.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by padi56

... a normal routine service and polish will do no harm whatsoever.

just feel like there is nothing quite like the original factory lines and if it is a daily wear, its just going to get roughed up again.

especially models with the polished bits, they will have to develop that nice patina all over again.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by subtona

just feel like there is nothing quite like the original factory lines and if it is a daily wear, its just going to get roughed up again.

especially models with the polished bits, they will have to develop that nice patina all over again.

Well now all the Rolex polishing machines are being standardised at all RCS and watch should come back as original factory spec, as long as there were only normal light every day scratches etc.And just cannot understand how any patina can apply to the polished bits.If its showing like you say patina on the polished bits its not patina but simply dirt or some sort of sweat chemical stain etc, polished bits are meant to look polished and shiny.

[Captain Kirkwood]

Originally Posted by padi56

And why ever not there is nothing special with a sub with lug holes and a SEL there must be quite a few thousand around.And a normal routine service and polish will do no harm whatsoever.

Special to me. If I were to get a 16610, it would be one with lug holes and SELs.

As far as polishing, I would not want it done to my watch. Removes character, and metal. But to each their own.

[Gharddog03]

I would have it serviced. It has been good to you so return the favor.

[bayerische]

I would have it serviced, for the reason Tools explained. Will eventually get expensive.

[EchoBlueUK]

I wouldn't bother unless you notice a drop in performance.

[skyedog]

Originally Posted by EchoBlueUK

I wouldn't bother unless you notice a drop in performance.

+1 totally

[kilyung]

It's kind of like a colonoscopy. Good to have done regularly to catch issues vs having it done because of an issue. Having said that, I'll punch the physician who tries to shove a camera up my butt.

[Paladin]

Get the watch serviced and protect your investment.

[mjclark32]

Yeah, I would. $800 for 11 years of wear is a bargain IMO.

[handsfull]

Its akin to running synthetic oil in your car. You can get 25,000 miles off of one oil change if you want.....but after the first 10k miles, the metal components are wearing quicker due to the oil getting dirtier/breaking down.

It would behoove you to perform a service on it.

[novae500]

Two of the 3 that i bought were preowned. N (1991) and F (2003). N was checked out and serviced prior to buying. The F will be 8 yrs and not serviced yet.

[Robert Henley]

Originally Posted by chill

I figure if it aint broke, don't fix it.

This is an excellent question. I've had my Datejust since I bought it new in 1990, worn it continously, and it's never been serviced or had anything done to it. I might add it runs great.

I had an AD who had been in business over 50 years tell me, "If ain't broke, don't fix it." I decided to follow his advice, and haven't had any problems yet.

On the other hand, there is another AD in town and the reaction was like the one you got. Service it every five years or so to keep it lubricated. That makes sense.

I could have bought a new one for all the money I've saved not having it serviced.

I don't really know the answer to this question. I also believe "if anything can go wrong it will go wrong," so I'm sort of afraid to send it to Rolex for fear it will get lost, it will not run as good when I get it back, it will get scratched, etc.

I was interested in this post to see what others said, and I see there are mixed opinions on it. I had an Osterdate before my Datejust that my Dad bought in Vietnam in 1963 (and years later he gave it to me). It was never serviced until eventually the winding stem broke (it was a manual wind), and I sent it to Rolex and they repaired it. But it ran for like 25+ years without a problem. BTW, it cost $93 as I recall in the PX in Saigon. I'm sort of inclined not to service it until there's a problem, but that's just been my experience. Robert

[Gretsch]

Originally Posted by Robert Henley

This is an excellent question. I've had my Datejust since I bought it new in 1990, worn it continously, and it's never been serviced or had anything done to it. I might add it runs great.

I had an AD who had been in business over 50 years tell me, "If ain't broke, don't fix it." I decided to follow his advice, and haven't had any problems yet.

On the other hand, there is another AD in town and the reaction was like the one you got. Service it every five years or so to keep it lubricated. That makes sense.

I could have bought a new one for all the money I've saved not having it serviced.

I don't really know the answer to this question. I also believe "if anything can go wrong it will go wrong," so I'm sort of afraid to send it to Rolex for fear it will get lost, it will not run as good when I get it back, it will get scratched, etc.

I was interested in this post to see what others said, and I see there are mixed opinions on it. I had an Osterdate before my Datejust that my Dad bought in Vietnam in 1963 (and years later he gave it to me). It was never serviced until eventually the winding stem broke (it was a manual wind), and I sent it to Rolex and they repaired it. But it ran for like 25+ years without a problem. BTW, it cost $93 as I recall in the PX in Saigon. I'm sort of inclined not to service it until there's a problem, but that's just been my experience. Robert

This comes to mind

[Mickey®]

At this point leave it alone...
The whole 5 years +/- is preventative and at this point "IF" there was any damage it is already done.

I will send mine to Rolex. I've seen good work and bad by independents and "heard" of bad RSC work too. BUT I've also heard more horror stories with independents (used parts, not genuine parts, gone out of business, regulated and oiled and not even overhauled!!!).

[lady yachtmaster]

Personally, I'd just get it pressure tested and, if that was ok, leave well alone.

Just my opinion but I wouldn't mess with it and I wouldn't let them polish my watch even if it did go for service...
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